Video Games as the New Social Media: A Shift in Digital Interaction
The advent of the internet has revolutionized the world in once unimaginable ways. It has made accessing news, content, academic resources, and leisure activities efficient and effortless. For those who were born before the internet and social media boom, the world was indeed a very different place. It might even come as a surprise to some that people in their thirties are older than YouTube, which was only launched in 2005.
Gone are the days when students relied solely on encyclopedias for information and families tuned into the 7 o’clock news for the latest updates. Today, with just a click, you can find the freshest news within your own social media account. But the evolution doesn’t stop there. Video games have become a cornerstone of unprecedented innovation, with social interaction within these platforms becoming increasingly prevalent.
In the past, there was a clear distinction between social media and video games. However, this line has been blurred, causing some confusion among newer generations. To shed light on this, let’s delve deeper into the definitions, features, and differences of social media and video games.
What is social media?
Social media refers to a broad range of online platforms and applications that facilitate the creation, sharing, and exchange of content among users. These platforms leverage technology to enable users to establish virtual communities and networks where they can engage in social networking, content curation, and interactive dialogues.
A few notable examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (now X), LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Snapchat. Each platform has its unique features and caters to different user needs and demographics.
Some key features of social media include:
User Profiles
These act as an online identity for users on the platform, often displaying a user’s name, profile picture, bio, and personal information. LinkedIn, for example, allows a more comprehensive profile, including professional details and skills.
Connecting with Other Users
Social media platforms offer multiple ways for users to connect. On Instagram, users can follow accounts to see their posts, while LinkedIn allows connections with industry professionals.
Content Sharing
Central to social media is the ability to share content such as text, images, videos, and links. Facebook and Twitter are known for this; Instagram emphasizes photo and video sharing, and Pinterest allows users to share and discover creative ideas.
Real-Time Updates
Users can stay updated about their network and global events in real-time. Twitter especially excels at providing real-time news and trends.
Messaging and Commenting
Most social media platforms include direct messaging features like Facebook Messenger, Instagram Direct, and Twitter’s Direct Messages (now X), enabling private conversations or group chats. Commenting on posts also allows users to interact with each other and share content.
Additional Features
Hashtags
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram use hashtags (#) to categorize content, making it more discoverable.
Tagging
Users can tag others in their posts or photos as a way of involving them in a conversation or drawing their attention to specific content.
Stories
Introduced by Snapchat and later adopted by platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Stories allows users to share ephemeral content that disappears after 24 hours.
Live Streaming
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow users to broadcast live videos to their followers.
Reactions
Beyond just ‘likes’, platforms like Facebook have introduced various reaction options (love, haha, wow, sad, angry) for users to express their responses to posts more accurately.
What are video games?
Video games refer to a broad category of entertainment software that engages players through interactive visual and auditory experiences. These games leverage technology, creativity, and interactivity to provide immersive experiences for the players.
Notable examples of platforms that host video games include mobile, PC (personal computer), PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Some key features of video games include:
Interactive Gameplay
The cornerstone of video games is interactive gameplay. This feature engages the player in a dynamic environment where their actions directly influence the game’s outcome. Games like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and “Minecraft” are notable for their highly interactive gameplay elements.
Storylines and Objectives
Video games often feature compelling storylines and objectives to guide the player through the game. These narratives can range from simple tasks, as seen in “Super Mario Bros,” to complex, branching narratives found in games like “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.”
Progress Tracking and Achievement Systems
Most video games include systems to track player progress and achievements. Progress tracking can be as simple as reaching new levels in a game like “Candy Crush,” or as complex as completing intricate quests in a role-playing game like “Skyrim.” Achievements, on the other hand, reward players for specific accomplishments within the game.
Multiplayer Capabilities
Many modern games offer multiplayer capabilities, allowing players to connect and play with or against others worldwide. Games like “Fortnite” and “Call of Duty” have popularized this feature, providing both cooperative and competitive multiplayer experiences.
Additional Features
Graphics and Art Style
The visual presentation in video games plays a crucial role in the player’s experience. Games can have a variety of art styles, from the realistic graphics of “Red Dead Redemption 2” to the stylized presentation of “Among Us.”
Sound and Music
Sound effects and music contribute significantly to the mood and immersion of a game. Iconic soundtracks like those from “Final Fantasy” or “Halo” are integral to these games’ identities.
Controls and User Interface
How a player interacts with a game is essential for the gaming experience. Good controls and user interface design can greatly enhance player enjoyment.
Game Modes
Many games offer different modes (like single-player, multiplayer, and cooperative) to cater to a variety of player preferences.
Virtual Reality (VR) Support
Some games, like “Beat Saber,” are designed for VR platforms, offering highly immersive gaming experiences.
Integration of Social and Communication Features in Video Games
Despite the inherent differences between traditional social media platforms and video games, the lines are blurring, mainly due to the integration of social and communication features within the gaming world.
Video games now go beyond just providing entertainment; they offer a platform for social interaction, allowing gamers to connect with like-minded individuals across the globe. This shift has been substantially beneficial for social connectivity, especially in a world where digital communication is becoming increasingly important.
Players can now chat in real time, form teams or guilds, share their achievements on integrated or external social media platforms, and even stream their gameplay live. This level of interaction allows players to build communities around their shared interests.
Platforms like Discord have become popular as they cater specifically to gamers, enabling voice, video, and text communication between users. Similarly, games like “Among Us” and “Fortnite” have social interaction at their core, heavily relying on communication between players.
Video Games: The Future Impact on Social Media
As video games continue to incorporate these social elements, they’re redefining our understanding of social media. In the future, we might see more social media platforms integrating gaming elements to engage their users, or game developers creating more robust social features within their games.
This convergence could lead to a more immersive form of social media, where users don’t just share content but actively participate in shared experiences. For instance, virtual reality (VR) technology could play a significant role in this, offering highly immersive social and gaming experiences.
Moreover, this shift could also influence online etiquette and community standards, as developers and platform operators will need to ensure their platforms remain safe and inclusive for all users.
As we move forward, it’s clear that this trend will continue to redefine how we interact and engage with others online. From sharing achievements to forming global communities, video games are proving to be a powerful platform for social connectivity in the digital age.
